Improvement in inhalers



n.. L. STEEN. INHALERS.

Patented July 18, 18-76.

[rp/EFQM.- n @@4106 fm MPEERS, FHOTO-LITHOGRAPHEF. WASHINGTON. D. C.

Ulvrrnn STATES YPATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT L. STEEN, OF TOPEK'A, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH OF HIS RIGHTTO HIMSELF AND THREE-FOURTHS TO A.' M. EDISON, OF

SAME PLAGE.

IMPRovEMEN-r IN iNHALERs.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 179,970, dated July 18,1,876; application tiled June 16, 1876.

a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a modified form of thedevices.

Like letters refer to like parts wherever they occur.

My invention relates to that class of apparatus termed inhalers andfumigators,77 used for the treatment of diseases of the air-pas sages,for disinfecting apartments, destroying vermin, and like purposes; andhas for its object sucha construct-ion and arrangement of the severalchambers and connecting-passages that the instrument, when charged withliquids, may be safely carried about the person, or packed andtransported without liability of spilling theliquids or injuring theclothing or goods which may be in contact with it.

To this end I connect two or more com partments of an inhaler by asuitable tube or tubes, which extend into the compartments sufficientlyfar to form a stand-pipe in each compartment, thus preventing the escapeof liquid from one compartment to another, no matter what position theinhaler may occupy; and I also extend the air-induction and the inhalingtubes for such a distance into the said compartments that, under allconditions, the liquid is confined to the respective chambers. I thus,by an arrangement of passages with relation to the chambers, secure afree passage and escape for gas or aeriform matters, and hinder theescape of liquids.

I will now proceed to describe my invention, so that others skilled inthe art to which it appertains may apply the same.

In the drawing, A A indicate a series of connected receptacles,chambers, or compart-` ments, which may be formed separately and securedtogether, or by dividing up a tube by means of partitions; but in eithercase the communication between the compartments is established by meansof tubes al a, which pass through the lpartitions and extend beyond thesame, so as to form cups or stand-pipes that prevent the escape ofliquid. In connection with said compartments, tubes b c are employed, asusual, for establishing communication With the exterior of the chamber.These tubes b c I .prolong or extend within the chambers,'as shown at bc', so as, in turn, to form cups or stand-pipes, which preclude theescape of the liquid.

Figs. l and 2 show the preferred shape' of my devices, and the literalconstruction thereof may be described as follows: Each compartment is abulb, formed of glass with two necks, closed by Stoppers perforated forthe passage of a tube of glass, and provided with a coupling of metal,or hard rubber, if preferred. Two or more such chambers may then beconnected, as shown, by a tube which extends to near the center of eachchamber, and

the inhaling-tube and air-inlet tubes then in-' serted through corks,which close the free necks of the bulbs. In the modification a cylinderis used, and the chamber formed by partitions, though which passcentrally glass tubes, in the manner and for the purposes beforespecified. p

Aqua ammonia and an acid are generally employed with this class ofdevices, and the operation will be described therewith: The Stopperswhich close the free ends of the receptacles beingv removed, an acid isplaced in one chamber and aqua ammonia in the other. The Stoppers are'then replaced, and upon either drawing or forcing a current of airthrough the tubes, the vapors from one chamber are carried into theother, and the vapors of the two, uniting, form ammoniacal fumes, whichmay be used in the treatment of disease or for other purposes, or may bemade the vehicle for ad ministering other drugs.

Though a free passage exists for vapors, it will be apparent thattherelation of the tubes is such that no liquid can escape, andconsequently, when not in use, the instrument may' be safely carried inthe pocket without ren1oving the liquids with which. it is charged.

It sometimes happens that, in addition to the use of amlnoniacal vaporsor carbolatedv vapors, it is desirable to use other medicaments, or thevapors of three or more drugs \\'hich.do not combine, or of which two ormore cannot be placed in one receptacle, in which case the advantages ofthe construction shown in Figs. l and 2 will be apparent, as a bulbmaybe added, so as to increase the series to any desired number, andthis Without the exercise of mechanical skill, and without loss of timeor injury to the appearance of the article.

If' desirable, two or more of the bulbs may be blown withconnecting-necks.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

In an inhaler or fulnigator havingr an induction and eduction tube, thecombination ot' two liquid receptacles or chambers, connected by a tubecommon to both, said tube extending into each chamber for a distanceslightly' less than halt' the length of the chamber, and

I in opposite ends to the induction and eduction tubes, substantially asand for the purpose specin'ed. Y

2. In an inhaler or fumigator having an iuduotion and eduction tube,which extend into their respective chambers, the combination of twoliquid-receptacles, connected by a straight tubecommon to both, saidtube extending i11- to each receptacle, substantially as and for thepurpose specified 3. An inbaier or fumigator composed of a series ofglobular chambers, counectedby a straight tube or tubes, c,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I, the said ROBERT L. STEEN, have hereunto setinyhand.

ROBERT L. STEEN. Y Witnesses:

F. W. RITTER, J r.,

JN0. W. HAGUE.

